Social Work

Students, staff and alumni gear up for home-track return of Windsor Roller Derby

A wall of blockers in a roller derby game tries to stop their opponentUWindsor alumnae Veronica Van Winckle aka Big V, Adele Dollar aka Delirious and Sandra Caradonna aka Diana Boss block an opposing skater in a 2025 roller derby game in Guelph, On. (SKYLAR SAWYER/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves

For the first time since 2019, residents of Windsor-Essex will have a chance to see Windsor Roller Derby (WRD) play locally. 

Founded in 2010 as Border City Brawlers, the league has been playing exclusively on the road for the last few years.  

June 6 marks their return to home track with UWindsor staff, students and alumni among those gearing up for a game at Tecumseh Arena. 

UWindsor forum tackles anti-racism and power in newcomer settlement work

Anti-racism forum School of Social Work professor Dr. Riham Al-Saadi hosted the forum, Approaches to Integrating Immigrants & Refugees 2.0, bringing together community organizations, service providers and practitioners for a day of learning about inclusive approaches to newcomer integration in Windsor-Essex. (Photo courtesy of Riham Al-Saadi/ University of Windsor)

By Lindsay Charlton

What began as an icebreaker — picking up a marble for each statement that applied and weighing how light or heavy a bag felt — opened a frank discussion about power and privilege.

“The best assumption is usually that if you are coming from a dominant background, your bag is lighter,” School of Social Work professor Dr. Riham Al-Saadi shared. “This led to emotional reflections from those with lighter bags and conversations about what they can do to support.”

UWindsor researcher tracking the human cost of Canada's retreat from harm reduction

Dr. Adrian GutaDr. Adrian Guta is a professor in the University of Windsor School of Social Work. (DAVE GAUTHIER/University of Windsor)

By Sara Elliott 

More than 53,000 Canadians have died from opioid-related causes since 2016.  

As governments scale back harm reduction services, Dr. Adrian Guta wants to understand what happens to the people left behind — and what alternatives could keep them alive. 

Beauty is Me: Social work alumna shares message of belonging

Joan Simpson speaking at a podiumUWindsor alumna Joan Simpson is the founder of the Beauty is Me non-profit (KYLE ARCHIBALD/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

Belonging has always been at the heart of everything University of Windsor alumna Joan Simpson (BSW ‘06, MSW ‘14) does. 

From supporting newcomers and those facing socioeconomic barriers to co-founding the Beauty is Me non-profit, Simpson’s work is all about empowerment and reminding people that they belong. 

It’s a drive that has been with Simpson since her youth.  

UWindsor partners in Canada’s first COMPASS Station network to provide crisis support

3 UWindsor members of the Lifeline Windsor Project team stand beside a new COMPASS station on Windsor's waterfront.UWindsor members of the Lifeline Windsor Project team stand beside an example of a new COMPASS station on Windsor's waterfront (left to right): Dr. Mohsan Beg, Counselling & Wellness Services; Mike Akpata, Special Constable Service; Katie Chauvin, Office of the Vice-President, People, Equity, & Inclusion. (SUBMITTED BY KATIE CHAUVIN/University of Windsor)

By Sara Meikle 

Content notice: This article discusses themes of suicide. 

The University of Windsor has joined a groundbreaking effort to support mental health and improve safety along the waterfront.

As a key partner in the new Lifeline Windsor Project, launched on Nov. 18, UWindsor is helping advance how the community supports people in moments of crisis.